[Anonymous]

Hello A71 Peeps:

I am a newly minted A71 member. I am reaching out to you all because there is an opportunity of being a benefit plan auditor. The role is being offered through my alam mater Career Center with a tier-two public accounting firm in the same realm as BDO, Crowe, etc.

I am asking of you if this would be a great opportunity? Would this role apply the same audit principles used in commercial audits?

Plan to start studying for FAR in January 2015. Will be my first take of this process.

About me: 31 years old, 2.5 years in accounting, Sr. Accountant in higher education.

Kindly give some feedback. Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

Anybody? Your input will be much appreciated!

[ruggercpa2b]

I am pretty sure you would apply the same audit principle as any other auditor out there. I am in audit and do mostly healthcare. I know we look at different areas of an organization and not just focus on one specific thing. I dont know what benefit plan auditors do but I am assuming that you would do the same type of work that I do except you will only audit benefit plans.

I would suggest going over the job description and also during the interview ask more detailed questions about the type of work they do and if its something that you will enjoy. The problem with the role being so specific is that it may become monotonous and not become challenging. Its all about where you plan on taking your career. Having public accounting experience on your resume is good. But if you don't plan on being in public for the rest of our career then dont stay too long because after a while when you do a specific type of work you end up being pigeon holed and it makes it harder to get out.

Only you will know after talking to these people if it will be a great opportunity for your. At the end of the day auditing is auditing.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[mla1169]

Auditing benefit plans is really a niche skill, definately a specialty. It's more about compliance than financial information. Mostly it's ensurance that a company's 401(k) isn't top heavy (the owners and management are favored by the plan) and that all employees have equal opportunity to participate.

That said it's a foot in the door to the firm. One of the partners in the firm we use started there as a benefit plan auditor. It's busiest in the summer, BTW as the reporting is due by 7/31.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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